Flood Warning Issued for Central Fremont County

Rain and snowmelt are expected to cause flooding in central Fremont County until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

According to National Weather Service in Riverton, the warning includes the upper through the lower Big Wind River as well as the lower Little Wind River.

As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, river levels near Dubois were up due to rain and snowmelt that occurred overnight over the Upper Wind River Basin. River levels were expected to subside by late Tuesday.

Last week, flood waters from the Wind River started flowing into old river channels in the area of the Riverton Valley Irrigation Canal. A breach in the canal made on Friday has helped the situation, forcing floodwaters back into the river.

There are still no reports of problems with floodwaters from the canal moving near homes.

Highway 26 near Morton is still open. Water is expected to flow right up to the highway through Tuesday afternoon, but is not expected to flow up onto the road.

Emergency managers urge caution, especially at night when the dangers of flooding are harder to recognize. It is important to know where you are relative to streams, rivers or creeks, which can pose life-threatening danger when flows are high.

Campers or hikers should avoid streams or creeks.

River forecasts from the National Weather Service:

Big Wind Basin

Wind River near Dubois: River rose to near 5.2 feet late this morning. Forecasted to continue to recede to near flood stage by this afternoon. The river is then expected to rise to near 5.4 feet by Tuesday morning. The river is then expected to recede below flood stage by early Wednesday morning. Minor flood stage is 5.0 feet.

Big Wind River near Crowheart: Expected to continue to rise to near 9.0 feet by Monday afternoon. The river is then expected to rise again Tuesday afternoon but remain below flood stage.

Big Wind River near Kinnear: Expected to continue to recede and remain below food stage. The river is then expected to rise again by late Tuesday afternoon but remain below flood stage.

Big Wind River at Riverton: The river is expected to continue to recede to near 9.0 feet by Monday afternoon. The river is then expected to rise again to between 9.5 and 10.5 feet by late Wednesday morning. The river will then steadily recede and be below 9.0 feet by Thursday afternoon. Moderate flood stage is 11.0 feet. Minor flood stage is 9.0 feet.

Little Wind Basin

Middle Fork Popo Agie River near Lander (Sinks Canyon): Forecasted rise slightly to 5.7 feet by Tuesday morning; then recede to near 5.1 feet by early Wednesday morning.

Little Wind River near Riverton: Expected to recede to near 8.5 feet by Monday afternoon. The river is then expected to rise slightly to near 9.0 feet by late Tuesday morning. The river will then steadily recede and be below 8.0 feet by Thursday afternoon. Minor flood stage is at 8.0 feet.